The Bozeman weekly chronicle., 1887-09-28
THE LONE FISHERMAN.
Origin of Noted Stage Characteristic
NOR in Pantomime.

NOR in Pantomime.
1t is not generally known that Mr.
Maf1it created the part of the Lone Fisher
man in "Evangeline. The character is
SO unique that in many places the play is
remembered by this part alone. The
Fisherman is on in every scene, but does
not speak word, and his only connection
with the play is to burn the will in the
last act. Mr.. Maf1it said:
'sThe history of the part is this: When
Mr.. Rice was boy in New England he
saw panorama. Sitting on the stage, at
one side of the picture, was an old man
who had no business there and no con-
nection with the show. He WAS absorbed
in the picture, and as it was unrolled his
face expressed great variety Of emotions
of pleasure, disapproval, surprise, etc.
Sometimes he would laugh quietly. The
audience quit watching the picture
and watched the old man, who
made an immense hit. Rice always
remembered him. When "Evange-
line'' was contemplated Rice came to Inc
and asked me If l wouldn't do q non
speaking part in it. The matter rested
there for some time. "Evangeline'' was
produced in New York in 1874, at Niblo's
Garden. Billy Crane, who had been the
buffo in an opera company, was the lie
Blanc, and Ed. Tar, then, as now, was the
King. Louis Mostaycr was Catherine,
Fortesque's part, and Laura Joyce, now
Mrs. Digby Bell, was Evangeline. A fish
erman went on in each act, but all he did
was to fish. He had no other business,
| and at the close of the play he spoke line
and burned the will. In 1876 the play
was brought to Boston, where my part
II yt,.p1f
and were playing Ricecame to me and
reminded me of the part he had asked me
to play, but said there was no part there
unless made it, which he left it to me to
do. l went to the rehearsals and con-
cluded to undertake tho character.
made it up as you now see it, and intro
duced some of the business. 1t came
gradually, though, and largely by acci-
dent. At first did not dance. Then it
occurred to me to fill in blank with one.
The Lone Fisherman's dance is now fam
| ous
zone night / took fan out with mt
for my own personal comfort and sat fan
ming myself upon the rocks. The far
made hit and always carried it after
ward. An old umbrella was lying in til,
property room one night and l took tha
on. 1t added to the effect was whit
tling piece of wood with Jackknif
and thought it would look natural t.
whittle it on the stage, as l had nothing
else to do. Then bethought me of max
ing boat. l made it, and my busines
with it was to admire it. That mad
people laugh. concluded to go furthe
and work the boat off the stage. Tha
always makes 'em laugh. OF course tn
boat is pulled off by cord, but l seem t.
fan it off, and my astonishment ut seeinl
it move is what creates the fun. Th
business with the rat is revival of al
old pantomime trick; but the three car,
monte business is another accident. Id
several tricks with cards, and one nigh
last winter was showing them to tn
stage carpenters. When got on the stag
concluded would try the tricks there
threw the cards and l saw that the aud
cnce became interested SO | just made j
q part of the regular performance, an
now always pretend to be throwing tn
cards for some guys money. Sometime
bets arc made among men in the from
rows that they can call my card, but
always fool theEl, ,'i-Cour:er Journal